Terminal apparatus, base station apparatus, and communication method

ABSTRACT

A user equipment (UE) includes reception circuitry configured to receive, from a base station, first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of PDCCH repetition, and to monitor, based on the second information, PDCCH repetitions for a first search space set in a first CORESET, and processing circuitry configured to determine, based on the first information, whether to omit monitoring a PDCCH repetition for each PDCCH repetition among the PDCCH repetitions, wherein Downlink Control Information (DCI) is carried by the PDCCH repetition, the DCI schedules a PDSCH, and the DCI includes third information indicating a first number and forth information indicating timing of the PDSCH, and to determine, based on the third information, a first slot in which the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is located, and to determine a starting slot of a PDSCH transmission based on the forth information and the first slot.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a terminal apparatus, a base station apparatus, a communication method, and an integrated circuit.

BACKGROUND ART

At present, as a radio access system and a radio network technology aimed for the fifth generation cellular system, technical investigation and standard development are being conducted, as extended standards of Long Term Evolution (LTE), on LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro) and New Radio technology (NR) in The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

In the fifth generation cellular system, three services of enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB) to achieve high-speed and large-volume transmission, Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC) to achieve low-latency and high-reliability communication, and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) to allow connection of a large number of machine type devices such as Internet of Things (IoT) have been demanded as assumed scenarios.

For example, wireless communication devices may communicate with one or more devices for multiple service types. For some device types, a lower complexity would be required such as to reduce the Rx/Tx antennas and/or the RF bandwidth to reduce the UE complexity and the UE cost. However, given the reduced antennas and/or the bandwidth, the PDCCH/PDSCH channel coverage and the PDCCH/PDSCH reception reliability would be affected and cause an inefficient communication. As illustrated by this discussion, systems and methods according to the prevent invention, supporting flexible PDCCH repetition, may improve reception/transmission reliability and coverage, and provide the communication flexibility and efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of one or more base stations and one or more user equipments (UEs) in which systems and methods for determining PDCCH repetition and PDSCH transmission may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one example 200 of REG and CCE resource numbering for a CORESET;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating one example 300 how to determine PDCCH monitoring occasions for PDCCH candidates based on corresponding search space set configuration and CORESET configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates one example 400 for determining PDCCH repetition and PDSCH transmission by a UE 102;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates some examples 500-1 and 500-2 of mapping of PDCCH repetition field values to a PDCCH repetition number corresponding to a maximum number of PDCCH repetition;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one implementation of a method 600 for determining PDCCH repetition and a starting slot of a PDSCH transmission received by a UE 102;

FIG. 7 illustrates various components that may be utilized in a UE;

FIG. 8 illustrates various components that may be utilized in a base station;

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A method by a user equipment (UE) is described. The method includes receiving, from a base station, first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of PDCCH repetition, and monitoring, based on the second information, PDCCH repetitions for a first search space set in a first CORESET, and determining, based on the first information, whether to omit monitoring a PDCCH repetition for each PDCCH repetition among the PDCCH repetitions, wherein Downlink Control Information (DCI) is carried by the PDCCH repetition, the DCI schedules a PDSCH, and the DCI includes third information indicating a first number and forth information indicating timing of the PDSCH, determining, based on the third information, a first slot in which the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is located, and determining a starting slot of a PDSCH transmission based on the forth information and the first slot.

A method by a base station is described. The method includes transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of PDCCH repetition, determining Downlink Control Information (DCI) wherein the DCI schedules a PDSCH, and the DCI includes third information indicating a first number and forth information indicating timing of the PDSCH, and determining, based on the third information, a first slot in which the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is located, determining a starting slot of a PDSCH transmission based on the forth information and the first slot, determining, based on the first information, whether to omit transmitting a PDCCH repetition for PDCCH repetitions with the first number, repeatedly transmitting, to the UE, PDCCH transmission with the first number for a first search space set in a first CORESET wherein the PDCCH repetitions carried the DCI.

A user equipment (UE) is described. The UE includes reception circuitry configured to receive, from a base station, first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of PDCCH repetition, and to monitor, based on the second information, PDCCH repetitions for a first search space set in a first CORESET, and processing circuitry configured to determine, based on the first information, whether to omit monitoring a PDCCH repetition for each PDCCH repetition among the PDCCH repetitions, wherein Downlink Control Information (DCI) is carried by the PDCCH repetition, the DCI schedules a PDSCH, and the DCI includes third information indicating a first number and forth information indicating timing of the PDSCH, and to determine, based on the third information, a first slot in which the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is located, and to determine a starting slot of a PDSCH transmission based on the forth information and the first slot.

A base station is described. The base station includes transmission circuitry configured to transmit, to a user equipment (UE), first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of PDCCH repetition, processing circuitry configured to determine Downlink Control Information (DCI) wherein the DCI schedules a PDSCH, and the DCI includes third information indicating a first number and forth information indicating timing of the PDSCH, and to determine, based on the third information, a first slot in which the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is located, to determine a starting slot of a PDSCH transmission based on the forth information and the first slot, to determine, based on the first information, whether to omit transmitting a PDCCH repetition for PDCCH repetitions with the first number, transmission circuitry further configured to repeatedly transmit, to the UE, PDCCH transmission with the first number for a first search space set in a first CORESET wherein the PDCCH repetitions carried the DCI.

3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the name given to a project to improve the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile phone or device standard to cope with future requirements. In one aspect, UMTS has been modified to provide support and specification for the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). 3GPP NR (New Radio) is the name given to a project to improve the LTE mobile phone or device standard to cope with future requirements. In one aspect, LTE has been modified to provide support and specification (TS 38.331, 38.321, 38.300, 37.300, 38.211, 38.212, 38.213, 38.214, etc) for the New Radio Access (NR) and Next generation-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

At least some aspects of the systems and methods disclosed herein may be described in relation to the 3GPP LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Advanced Pro, New Radio Access (NR), and other 3G/4G/5G standards (e.g., 3GPP Releases 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and/or 15, and/or Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT)). However, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited in this regard. At least some aspects of the systems and methods disclosed herein may be utilized in other types of wireless communication systems.

A wireless communication device may be an electronic device used to communicate voice and/or data to a base station, which in turn may communicate with a network of devices (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, etc.). In describing systems and methods herein, a wireless communication device may alternatively be referred to as a mobile station, a UE (User Equipment), an access terminal, a subscriber station, a mobile terminal, a remote station, a user terminal, a terminal, a subscriber unit, a mobile device, a relay node, etc. Examples of wireless communication devices include cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, netbooks, e-readers, wireless modems, etc. In 3GPP specifications, a wireless communication device is typically referred to as a UE. However, as the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the 3GPP standards, the terms “UE” and “wireless communication device” may be used interchangeably herein to mean the more general term “wireless communication device.”

In 3GPP specifications, a base station is typically referred to as a gNB, a Node B, an eNB, a home enhanced or evolved Node B (HeNB) or some other similar terminology. As the scope of the disclosure should not be limited to 3GPP standards, the terms “base station,”, “gNB”, “Node B,” “eNB,” and “HeNB” may be used interchangeably herein to mean the more general term “base station.” Furthermore, one example of a “base station” is an access point. An access point may be an electronic device that provides access to a network (e.g., Local Area Network (LAN), the Internet, etc.) for wireless communication devices. The term “communication device” may be used to denote both a wireless communication device and/or a base station.

It should be noted that as used herein, a “cell” may be any communication channel that is specified by standardization or regulatory bodies to be used for International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-Advanced), IMT-2020 (5G) and all of it or a subset of it may be adopted by 3GPP as licensed bands (e.g., frequency bands) to be used for communication between a base station and a UE. It should also be noted that in NR, NG-RAN, E-UTRA and E-UTRAN overall description, as used herein, a “cell” may be defined as “combination of downlink and optionally uplink resources.” The linking between the carrier frequency of the downlink resources and the carrier frequency of the uplink resources may be indicated in the system information transmitted on the downlink resources.

“Configured cells” are those cells of which the UE is aware and is allowed by a base station to transmit or receive information. “Configured cell(s)” may be serving cell(s). The UE may receive system information and perform the required measurements on configured cells. “Configured cell(s)” for a radio connection may consist of a primary cell and/or no, one, or more secondary cell(s). “Activated cells” are those configured cells on which the UE is transmitting and receiving. That is, activated cells are those cells for which the UE monitors the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and in the case of a downlink transmission, those cells for which the UE decodes a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). “Deactivated cells” are those configured cells that the UE is not monitoring the transmission PDCCH. It should be noted that a “cell” may be described in terms of differing dimensions. For example, a “cell” may have temporal, spatial (e.g., geographical) and frequency characteristics.

The base stations may be connected by the NG interface to the 5G-core network (5G-CN). 5G-CN may be called as to NextGen core (NGC), or 5G core (5GC). The base stations may also be connected by the S1 interface to the evolved packet core (EPC). For instance, the base stations may be connected to a NextGen (NG) mobility management function by the NG-2 interface and to the NG core User Plane (UP) functions by the NG-3 interface. The NG interface supports a many-to-many relation between NG mobility management functions, NG core UP functions and the base stations. The NG-2 interface is the NG interface for the control plane and the NG-3 interface is the NG interface for the user plane. For instance, for EPC connection, the base stations may be connected to a mobility management entity (MME) by the S1-MME interface and to the serving gateway (S-GW) by the S1-U interface. The S1 interface supports a many-to-many relation between MMEs, serving gateways and the base stations. The S1-MME interface is the S1 interface for the control plane and the S1-U interface is the S1 interface for the user plane. The Uu interface is a radio interface between the UE and the base station for the radio protocol.

The radio protocol architecture may include the user plane and the control plane. The user plane protocol stack may include packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC) and physical (PHY) layers. A DRB (Data Radio Bearer) is a radio bearer that carries user data (as opposed to control plane signaling). For example, a DRB may be mapped to the user plane protocol stack. The PDCP, RLC, MAC and PHY sublayers (terminated at the base station 460 a on the network) may perform functions (e.g., header compression, ciphering, scheduling, ARQ and HARQ) for the user plane. PDCP entities are located in the PDCP sublayer. RLC entities may be located in the RLC sublayer. MAC entities may be located in the MAC sublayer. The PHY entities may be located in the PHY sublayer.

The control plane may include a control plane protocol stack. The PDCP sublayer (terminated in base station on the network side) may perform functions (e.g., ciphering and integrity protection) for the control plane. The RLC and MAC sublayers (terminated in base station on the network side) may perform the same functions as for the user plane. The Radio Resource Control (RRC) (terminated in base station on the network side) may perform the following functions. The RRC may perform broadcast functions, paging, RRC connection management, radio bearer (RB) control, mobility functions, UE measurement reporting and control. The Non-Access Stratum (NAS) control protocol (terminated in MME on the network side) may perform, among other things, evolved packet system (EPS) bearer management, authentication, evolved packet system connection management (ECM)-IDLE mobility handling, paging origination in ECM-IDLE and security control.

Signaling Radio Bearers (SRBs) are Radio Bearers (RB) that may be used only for the transmission of RRC and NAS messages. Three SRBs may be defined. SRBO may be used for RRC messages using the common control channel (CCCH) logical channel. SRB1 may be used for RRC messages (which may include a piggybacked NAS message) as well as for NAS messages prior to the establishment of SRB2, all using the dedicated control channel (DCCH) logical channel. SRB2 may be used for RRC messages which include logged measurement information as well as for NAS messages, all using the DCCH logical channel. SRB2 has a lower-priority than SRB1 and may be configured by a network (e.g., base station) after security activation. A broadcast control channel (BCCH) logical channel may be used for broadcasting system information. Some of BCCH logical channel may convey system information which may be sent from the network to the UE via BCH (Broadcast Channel) transport channel. BCH may be sent on a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). Some of BCCH logical channel may convey system information which may be sent from the network to the UE via DL-SCH (Downlink Shared Channel) transport channel. Paging may be provided by using paging control channel (PCCH) logical channel.

For example, the DL-DCCH logical channel may be used (but not limited to) for a RRC reconfiguration message, a RRC reestablishment message, a RRC release, a UE Capability Enquiry message, a DL Information Transfer message or a Security Mode Command message. UL-DCCH logical channel may be used (but not limited to) for a measurement report message, a RRC Reconfiguration Complete message, a RRC Reestablishment Complete message, a RRC Setup Complete message, a Security Mode Complete message, a Security Mode Failure message, a UE Capability Information, message, a UL Handover Preparation Transfer message, a UL Information Transfer message, a Counter Check Response message, a UE Information Response message, a Proximity Indication message, a RN (Relay Node) Reconfiguration Complete message, an MBMS Counting Response message, an inter Frequency RSTD Measurement Indication message, a UE Assistance Information message, an In-device Coexistence Indication message, an MBMS Interest Indication message, an SCG Failure Information message. DL-CCCH logical channel may be used (but not limited to) for a RRC Connection Reestablishment message, a RRC Reestablishment Reject message, a RRC Reject message, or a RRC Setup message. UL-CCCH logical channel may be used (but not limited to) for a RRC Reestablishment Request message, or a RRC Setup Request message.

System information may be divided into the MasterinformationBlock (MIB) and a number of SystemInformationBlocks (SIBs).

The UE may receive one or more RRC messages from the base station to obtain RRC configurations or parameters. The RRC layer of the UE may configure RRC layer and/or lower layers (e.g., PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer) of the UE according to the RRC configurations or parameters which may be configured by the RRC messages, broadcasted system information, and so on. The base station may transmit one or more RRC messages to the UE to cause the UE to configure RRC layer and/or lower layers of the UE according to the RRC configurations or parameters which may be configured by the RRC messages, broadcasted system information, and so on.

When carrier aggregation is configured, the UE may have one RRC connection with the network. One radio interface may provide carrier aggregation. During RRC establishment, re-establishment and handover, one serving cell may provide Non-Access Stratum (NAS) mobility information (e.g., a tracking area identity (TAI)). During RRC re-establishment and handover, one serving cell may provide a security input. This cell may be referred to as the primary cell (PCell). In the downlink, the component carrier corresponding to the PCell may be the downlink primary component carrier (DL PCC), while in the uplink it may be the uplink primary component carrier (UL PCC).

Depending on UE capabilities, one or more SCells may be configured to form together with the PCell a set of serving cells. In the downlink, the component carrier corresponding to an SCell may be a downlink secondary component carrier (DL SCC), while in the uplink it may be an uplink secondary component carrier (UL SCC).

The configured set of serving cells for the UE, therefore, may consist of one PCell and one or more SCells. For each SCell, the usage of uplink resources by the UE (in addition to the downlink resources) may be configurable. The number of DL SCCs configured may be larger than or equal to the number of UL SCCs and no SCell may be configured for usage of uplink resources only.

From a UE viewpoint, each uplink resource may belong to one serving cell. The number of serving cells that may be configured depends on the aggregation capability of the UE. The PCell may only be changed using a handover procedure (e.g., with a security key change and a random access procedure). A PCell may be used for transmission of the PUCCH. A primary secondary cell (PSCell) may also be used for transmission of the PUCCH. The PSCell may be referred to as a primary SCG cell or SpCell of a secondary cell group. The PCell or PS Cell may not be de-activated. Re-establishment may be triggered when the PCell experiences radio link failure (RLF), not when the SCells experience RLF. Furthermore, NAS information may be taken from the PCell.

The reconfiguration, addition and removal of SCells may be performed by RRC. At handover or reconfiguration with sync, Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer may also add, remove or reconfigure SCells for usage with a target PCell. When adding a new SCell, dedicated RRC signaling may be used for sending all required system information of the SCell (e.g., while in connected mode, UEs need not acquire broadcasted system information directly from the SCells).

The systems and methods described herein may enhance the efficient use of radio resources in Carrier aggregation (CA) operation. Carrier aggregation refers to the concurrent utilization of more than one component carrier (CC). In carrier aggregation, more than one cell may be aggregated to a UE. In one example, carrier aggregation may be used to increase the effective bandwidth available to a UE. In traditional carrier aggregation, a single base station is assumed to provide multiple serving cells for a UE. Even in scenarios where two or more cells may be aggregated (e.g., a macro cell aggregated with remote radio head (RRH) cells) the cells may be controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a single base station.

The systems and methods described herein may enhance the efficient use of radio resources in Carrier aggregation operation. Carrier aggregation refers to the concurrent utilization of more than one component carrier (CC). In carrier aggregation, more than one cell may be aggregated to a UE. In one example, carrier aggregation may be used to increase the effective bandwidth available to a UE. In traditional carrier aggregation, a single base station is assumed to provide multiple serving cells for a UE. Even in scenarios where two or more cells may be aggregated (e.g., a macro cell aggregated with remote radio head (RRH) cells) the cells may be controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a single base station. However, in a small cell deployment scenario, each node (e.g., base station, RRH, etc.) may have its own independent scheduler. To maximize the efficiency of radio resources utilization of both nodes, a UE may connect to two or more nodes that have different schedulers. The systems and methods described herein may enhance the efficient use of radio resources in dual connectivity operation. A UE may be configured multiple groups of serving cells, where each group may have carrier aggregation operation (e.g., if the group includes more than one serving cell).

In Dual Connectivity (DC) the UE may be required to be capable of UL-CA with simultaneous PUCCH/PUCCH and PUCCH/PUSCH transmissions across cell-groups (CGs). In a small cell deployment scenario, each node (e.g., eNB, RRH, etc.) may have its own independent scheduler. To maximize the efficiency of radio resources utilization of both nodes, a UE may connect to two or more nodes that have different schedulers. A UE may be configured multiple groups of serving cells, where each group may have carrier aggregation operation (e.g., if the group includes more than one serving cell). A UE in RRC CONNECTED may be configured with Dual Connectivity or MR-DC, when configured with a Master and a Secondary Cell Group. A Cell Group (CG) may be a subset of the serving cells of a UE, configured with Dual Connectivity (DC) or MR-DC, i.e. a Master Cell Group (MCG) or a Secondary Cell Group (SCG). The Master Cell Group may be a group of serving cells of a UE comprising of the PCell and zero or more secondary cells. The Secondary Cell Group (SCG) may be a group of secondary cells of a UE, configured with DC or MR-DC, comprising of the PSCell and zero or more other secondary cells. A Primary Secondary Cell (PSCell) may be the SCG cell in which the UE is instructed to perform random access when performing the SCG change procedure. “PSCell” may be also called as a Primary SCG Cell. In Dual Connectivity or MR-DC, two MAC entities may be configured in the UE: one for the MCG and one for the SCG. Each MAC entity may be configured by RRC with a serving cell supporting PUCCH transmission and contention based Random Access. In a MAC layer, the term Special Cell (SpCell) may refer to such cell, whereas the term SCell may refer to other serving cells. The term SpCell either may refer to the PCell of the MCG or the PSCell of the SCG depending on if the MAC entity is associated to the MCG or the SCG, respectively. A Timing Advance Group (TAG) containing the SpCell of a MAC entity may be referred to as primary TAG (pTAG), whereas the term secondary TAG (sTAG) refers to other TAGs.

DC may be further enhanced to support Multi-RAT Dual Connectivity (MR-DC). MR-DC may be a generalization of the Intra-E-UTRA Dual Connectivity (DC) described in 36.300, where a multiple Rx/Tx UE may be configured to utilize resources provided by two different nodes connected via non-ideal backhaul, one providing E-UTRA access and the other one providing NR access. One node acts as a Mater Node (MN) and the other as a Secondary Node (SN). The MN and SN are connected via a network interface and at least the MN is connected to the core network. In DC, a PSCell may be a primary secondary cell. In EN-DC, a PSCell may be a primary SCG cell or SpCell of a secondary cell group.

E-UTRAN may support MR-DC via E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC), in which a UE is connected to one eNB that acts as a MN and one en-gNB that acts as a SN. The en-gNB is a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and acting as Secondary Node in EN-DC. The eNB is connected to the EPC via the S1 interface and to the en-gNB via the X2 interface. The en-gNB might also be connected to the EPC via the S1-U interface and other en-gNBs via the X2-U interface.

A timer is running once it is started, until it is stopped or until it expires; otherwise it is not running A timer can be started if it is not running or restarted if it is running A Timer may be always started or restarted from its initial value.

For NR, a technology of aggregating NR carriers may be studied. Both lower layer aggregation like Carrier Aggregation (CA) for LTE and upper layer aggregation like DC are investigated. From layer 2/3 point of view, aggregation of carriers with different numerologies may be supported in NR.

The main services and functions of the RRC sublayer may include the following:

-   -   Broadcast of System Information related to Access Stratum (AS)         and Non Access Stratum (NAS);     -   Paging initiated by CN or RAN;     -   Establishment, maintenance and release of an RRC connection         between the UE and NR RAN including:     -   Addition, modification and release of carrier aggregation;     -   Addition, modification and release of Dual Connectivity in NR or         between LTE and NR;     -   Security functions including key management;     -   Establishment, configuration, maintenance and release of         signaling radio bearers and data radio bearers;     -   Mobility functions including:     -   Handover;     -   UE cell selection and reselection and control of cell selection         and reselection;     -   Context transfer at handover.     -   QoS management functions;     -   UE measurement reporting and control of the reporting;     -   NAS message transfer to/from NAS from/to UE.

Each MAC entity of a UE may be configured by RRC with a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) functionality that controls the UE's PDCCH monitoring activity for the MAC entity's C-RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identifier), CS-RNTI, INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, and TPC-SRS-RNTI. For scheduling at cell level, the following identities are used:

-   -   C (Cell)-RNTI: unique UE identification used as an identifier of         the RRC Connection and for scheduling;     -   CS (Configured Scheduling)-RNTI: unique UE identification used         for Semi-Persistent Scheduling in the downlink;     -   INT-RNTI: identification of pre-emption in the downlink;     -   P-RNTI: identification of Paging and System Information change         notification in the downlink;     -   SI-RNTI: identification of Broadcast and System Information in         the downlink;     -   SP-CSI-RNTI: unique UE identification used for semi-persistent         CSI reporting on PUSCH;     -   CI-RNTI: Cancellation Indication RNTI for Uplink.         For power and slot format control, the following identities are         used:     -   SFI-RNTI: identification of slot format;     -   TPC-PUCCH-RNTI: unique UE identification to control the power of         PUCCH;     -   TPC-PUSCH-RNTI: unique UE identification to control the power of         PUSCH;     -   TPC-SRS-RNTI: unique UE identification to control the power of         SRS; During the random access procedure, the following         identities are also used:     -   RA-RNTI: identification of the Random Access Response in the         downlink;     -   Temporary C-RNTI: UE identification temporarily used for         scheduling during the random access procedure;     -   Random value for contention resolution: UE identification         temporarily used for contention resolution purposes during the         random access procedure.         For NR connected to 5GC, the following UE identities are used at         NG-RAN level:     -   I-RNTI: used to identify the UE context in RRC INACTIVE.

The size of various fields in the time domain is expressed in time units T_(c)=1/(Δf_(max)·N_(f)) where Δf_(max)=48010³ Hz and N_(f)=4096. The constant κ=T_(s)/T_(c)=64 where T_(s)1/(Δf_(ref)·N_(f,ref)), Δf_(ref)=15·10³ Hz and N_(f,ref)=2048.

Multiple OFDM numerologies are supported as given by Table 4.2-1 of [TS 38.211] where μ and the cyclic prefix for a bandwidth part are obtained from the higher-layer parameter subcarrierSpacing and cyclicPrefix, respectively.

The size of various fields in the time domain may be expressed as a number of time units T_(s)=1/(15000×2048) seconds. Downlink and uplink transmissions are organized into frames with T_(f)=(Δf_(max)N_(f)/100)·T_(c)=10 ms duration, each consisting of ten subframes of T_(sf)=(Δf_(max)N_(f)/1000)·T_(c)=1 ms duration. The number of consecutive OFDM symbols per subframe is N_(symb) ^(subframeμ)=N_(symb) ^(slot)N_(slot) ^(subframeμ). Each frame is divided into two equally-sized half-frames of five subframes each with half-frame 0 consisting of subframes 0-4 and half-frame 1 consisting of subframes 5-9.

For subcarrier spacing (SCS) configuration μ, slots are numbered n_(s) ^(μ) ∈{0, . . . , N_(slot) ^(subframe, μ)−1} increasing order within a subframe and n_(s,f) ^(μ) ∈{0, . . . , N_(slot) ^(frameμ)−1} in increasing order within a frame. N_(slot) ^(subframe,μ) is the number of slots per subframe for subcarrier spacing configuration μ. There are N_(symb) ^(slot) consecutive OFDM symbols in a slot where N_(symb) ^(slot) depends on the cyclic prefix as given by Tables 4.3.2-1 and 4.3.2-2 of [TS 38.211]. The start of slot n_(s) ^(μ) in a subframe is aligned in time with the start of OFDM symbol n_(s) ^(μ)N_(symb) ^(slot) the same subframe. Subcarrier spacing refers to a spacing (or frequency bandwidth) between two consecutive subcarrier in the frequency domain. For example, the subcarrier spacing can be set to 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, or 240 kHz. A resource block is defined as a number of consecutive subcarriers (e.g. 12) in the frequency domain. For a carrier with different frequency, the applicable subcarrier may be different. For example, for a carrier in a frequency rang 1, a subcarrier spacing only among a set of {15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz} is applicable. For a carrier in a frequency rang 2, a subcarrier spacing only among a set of {60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz} is applicable. The base station may not configure an inapplicable subcarrier spacing for a carrier.

OFDM symbols in a slot can be classified as ‘downlink’, ‘flexible’, or ‘uplink’. Signaling of slot formats is described in subclause 11.1 of [TS 38.213].

In a slot in a downlink frame, the UE may assume that downlink transmissions only occur in ‘downlink’ or ‘flexible’ symbols. In a slot in an uplink frame, the UE may only transmit in ‘uplink’ or ‘flexible’ symbols.

Various examples of the systems and methods disclosed herein are now described with reference to the Figures, where like reference numbers may indicate functionally similar elements. The systems and methods as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different implementations. Thus, the following more detailed description of several implementations, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit scope, as claimed, but is merely representative of the systems and methods.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of one or more base stations 160 (e.g., eNB, gNB) and one or more user equipments (UEs) 102 in which systems and methods for determining PDCCH repetition and PDSCH transmission may be implemented. The one or more UEs 102 may communicate with one or more base stations 160 using one or more antennas 122 a-n. For example, a UE 102 transmits electromagnetic signals to the base station 160 and receives electromagnetic signals from the base station 160 using the one or more antennas 122 a-n. The base station 160 communicates with the UE 102 using one or more antennas 180 a-n.

It should be noted that in some configurations, one or more of the UEs 102 described herein may be implemented in a single device. For example, multiple UEs 102 may be combined into a single device in some implementations. Additionally or alternatively, in some configurations, one or more of the base stations 160 described herein may be implemented in a single device. For example, multiple base stations 160 may be combined into a single device in some implementations. In the context of FIG. 1 , for instance, a single device may include one or more UEs 102 in accordance with the systems and methods described herein. Additionally or alternatively, one or more base stations 160 in accordance with the systems and methods described herein may be implemented as a single device or multiple devices.

The UE 102 and the base station 160 may use one or more channels 119, 121 to communicate with each other. For example, a UE 102 may transmit information or data to the base station 160 using one or more uplink (UL) channels 121 and signals. Examples of uplink channels 121 include a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), etc. Examples of uplink signals include a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) and a sounding reference signal (SRS), etc. The one or more base stations 160 may also transmit information or data to the one or more UEs 102 using one or more downlink (DL) channels 119 and signals, for instance. Examples of downlink channels 119 include a PDCCH, a PDSCH, etc. A PDCCH can be used to schedule DL transmissions on PDSCH and UL transmissions on PUSCH, where the Downlink Control Information (DCI) on PDCCH includes downlink assignment and uplink grants. The PDCCH is used for transmitting Downlink Control Information (DCI) in a case of downlink radio communication (radio communication from the base station to the UE). Here, one or more DCIs (may be referred to as DCI formats) are defined for transmission of downlink control information. Information bits are mapped to one or more fields defined in a DCI format. Examples of downlink signals include a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a non-zero power channel state information reference signal (NZP CSI-RS), and a zero power channel state information reference signal (ZP CSI-RS), etc. Other kinds of channels or signals may be used.

Each of the one or more UEs 102 may include one or more transceivers 118, one or more demodulators 114, one or more decoders 108, one or more encoders 150, one or more modulators 154, one or more data buffers 104 and one or more UE operations modules 124. For example, one or more reception and/or transmission paths may be implemented in the UE 102. For convenience, only a single transceiver 118, decoder 108, demodulator 114, encoder 150 and modulator 154 are illustrated in the UE 102, though multiple parallel elements (e.g., transceivers 118, decoders 108, demodulators 114, encoders 150 and modulators 154) may be implemented.

The transceiver 118 may include one or more receivers 120 and one or more transmitters 158. The one or more receivers 120 may receive signals (e.g., downlink channels, downlink signals) from the base station 160 using one or more antennas 122 a-n. For example, the receiver 120 may receive and downconvert signals to produce one or more received signals 116. The one or more received signals 116 may be provided to a demodulator 114. The one or more transmitters 158 may transmit signals (e.g., uplink channels, uplink signals) to the base station 160 using one or more antennas 122 a-n. For example, the one or more transmitters 158 may upconvert and transmit one or more modulated signals 156.

The demodulator 114 may demodulate the one or more received signals 116 to produce one or more demodulated signals 112. The one or more demodulated signals 112 may be provided to the decoder 108. The UE 102 may use the decoder 108 to decode signals. The decoder 108 may produce one or more decoded signals 106, 110. For example, a first UE-decoded signal 106 may comprise received payload data, which may be stored in a data buffer 104. A second UE-decoded signal 110 may comprise overhead data and/or control data. For example, the second UE-decoded signal 110 may provide data that may be used by the UE operations module 124 to perform one or more operations.

As used herein, the term “module” may mean that a particular element or component may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. However, it should be noted that any element denoted as a “module” herein may alternatively be implemented in hardware. For example, the UE operations module 124 may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both.

In general, the UE operations module 124 may enable the UE 102 to communicate with the one or more base stations 160. The UE operations module 124 may include a UE RRC information configuration module 126. The UE operations module 124 may include a UE DCI control module 128. In some implementations, the UE operations module 124 may include physical (PHY) entities, Medium Access Control (MAC) entities, Radio Link Control (RLC) entities, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entities, and an Radio Resource Control (RRC) entity. For example, the UE RRC information configuration module 126 may process RRC parameters received from the base station. The UE DCI control module (processing module) 128 may determine when and where to monitor or search the configured PDCCH candidates for each search space set in a CORESET based on the processing output from the UE RRC information configuration module 126. The UE DCI control module 128 may determine whether PDCCH candidate repetition is applied or not based on the processing output from the UE RRC information configuration module 126. The UE DCI control module 128 may determine a set of one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions for a search space set in a CORESET wherein each PDCCH candidate is repeated in the one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in the CORESET. The UE DCI control module 128 may determine the respective location of the one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set and the total number of the PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. The location of a PDCCH monitoring occasion herein at least includes an index of a slot that the PDCCH monitoring occasion exists and/or an index for the first symbol of the PDCCH monitoring occasion in the slot.

The UE DCI control module 128 may determine, based on the processing output (e.g. first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of PDCCH repetition) from the UE RRC information configuration module 126, a PDCCH monitoring is an applicable PDCCH monitoring occasion or an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion. The UE DCI control module 128 may determine whether to omit monitoring a PDCCH repetition for each PDCCH repetition among the repetitions. The UE DCI control module 128 may determine, upon detection of PDCCH repetition, a first number indicated by DCI and a timing of the PDSCH scheduled by the PDCCH. The UE DCI control module 128 may determine a first slot in which the last PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is located. The UE DCI control module 128 may determine a starting slot of the PDSCH transmission based on the determined first slot and the timing of PDSCH.

The UE operations module 124 may provide the benefit of performing PDCCH candidate search and monitoring efficiently.

The UE operations module 124 may provide information 148 to the one or more receivers 120. For example, the UE operations module 124 may inform the receiver(s) 120 when or when not to receive transmissions based on the Radio Resource Control (RRC) message (e.g, broadcasted system information, RRC reconfiguration message), MAC control element, and/or the DCI (Downlink Control Information). The UE operations module 124 may provide information 148, including the PDCCH monitoring occasions and DCI format size, to the one or more receivers 120. The UE operation module 124 may inform the receiver(s) 120 when or where to receive/monitor the PDCCH candidate for DCI formats with which DCI size.

The UE operations module 124 may provide information 138 to the demodulator 114. For example, the UE operations module 124 may inform the demodulator 114 of a modulation pattern anticipated for transmissions from the base station 160.

The UE operations module 124 may provide information 136 to the decoder 108. For example, the UE operations module 124 may inform the decoder 108 of an anticipated encoding for transmissions from the base station 160. For example, the UE operations module 124 may inform the decoder 108 of an anticipated PDCCH candidate encoding with which DCI size for transmissions from the base station 160.

The UE operations module 124 may provide information 142 to the encoder 150. The information 142 may include data to be encoded and/or instructions for encoding. For example, the UE operations module 124 may instruct the encoder 150 to encode transmission data 146 and/or other information 142.

The encoder 150 may encode transmission data 146 and/or other information 142 provided by the UE operations module 124. For example, encoding the data 146 and/or other information 142 may involve error detection and/or correction coding, mapping data to space, time and/or frequency resources for transmission, multiplexing, etc. The encoder 150 may provide encoded data 152 to the modulator 154.

The UE operations module 124 may provide information 144 to the modulator 154. For example, the UE operations module 124 may inform the modulator 154 of a modulation type (e.g., constellation mapping) to be used for transmissions to the base station 160. The modulator 154 may modulate the encoded data 152 to provide one or more modulated signals 156 to the one or more transmitters 158.

The UE operations module 124 may provide information 140 to the one or more transmitters 158. This information 140 may include instructions for the one or more transmitters 158. For example, the UE operations module 124 may instruct the one or more transmitters 158 when to transmit a signal to the base station 160. The one or more transmitters 158 may upconvert and transmit the modulated signal(s) 156 to one or more base stations 160.

The base station 160 may include one or more transceivers 176, one or more demodulators 172, one or more decoders 166, one or more encoders 109, one or more modulators 113, one or more data buffers 162 and one or more base station operations modules 182. For example, one or more reception and/or transmission paths may be implemented in a base station 160. For convenience, only a single transceiver 176, decoder 166, demodulator 172, encoder 109 and modulator 113 are illustrated in the base station 160, though multiple parallel elements (e.g., transceivers 176, decoders 166, demodulators 172, encoders 109 and modulators 113) may be implemented.

The transceiver 176 may include one or more receivers 178 and one or more transmitters 117. The one or more receivers 178 may receive signals (e.g., uplink channels, uplink signals) from the UE 102 using one or more antennas 180 a-n. For example, the receiver 178 may receive and downconvert signals to produce one or more received signals 174. The one or more received signals 174 may be provided to a demodulator 172. The one or more transmitters 117 may transmit signals (e.g., downlink channels, downlink signals) to the UE 102 using one or more antennas 180 a-n. For example, the one or more transmitters 117 may upconvert and transmit one or more modulated signals 115.

The demodulator 172 may demodulate the one or more received signals 174 to produce one or more demodulated signals 170. The one or more demodulated signals 170 may be provided to the decoder 166. The base station 160 may use the decoder 166 to decode signals. The decoder 166 may produce one or more decoded signals 164, 168. For example, a first base station-decoded signal 164 may comprise received payload data, which may be stored in a data buffer 162. A second base station-decoded signal 168 may comprise overhead data and/or control data. For example, the second base station-decoded signal 168 may provide data (e.g., PUSCH transmission data) that may be used by the base station operations module 182 to perform one or more operations.

In general, the base station operations module 182 may enable the base station 160 to communicate with the one or more UEs 102. The base station operations module 182 may include a base station RRC information configuration module 194. The base station operations module 182 may include a base station DCI control module 196 (or a base station DCI processing module 196). The base station operations module 182 may include PHY entities, MAC entities, RLC entities, PDCP entities, and an RRC entity.

The base station DCI control module 196 may determine, for respective UE, when and where to monitor or search a configured PDCCH candidate for a search space set in a CORSET. The base station DCI control module 196 may determine, for UE(s), whether the PDCCH candidate repetition is applied or not. The base station DCI control module 196 may determine, for UE(s), a set of one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions for a search space set in a CORESET wherein each PDCCH candidate is repeated in the one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in the CORESET. The base station DCI control module 196 may determine, for a UE, the respective location of the one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set and the total number of the PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. The base station DCI control module 196 may determine, for a UE, a slot where the set of the one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions for PDCCH repetitions starts.

The base station DCI control module 196 may input the determined information to the base station RRC information configuration module 194. The base station RRC information configuration module 194 may generate RRC parameters for search space configurations and CORESET configuration based on the output from the base station DCI control module 196. The base station RRC information configuration module 194 may generate, to a UE, first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of PDCCH repetition. The base station DCI control module 196 may determine, for a UE, DCI including third information indicating a first number and forth information indicating timing of a PDSCH. The base station DCI control module 196 may determine, for the UE, based on the third information, a first slot in which the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is located. The base station DCI control module 196 may determine a starting slot of the PDSCH transmission based on the determined first slot and the timing of PDSCH. The base station DCI control module 196 may determine, for the UE, based on the first information, whether to omit transmitting a PDCCH repetition for PDCCH repetitions with the first number.

The base station operations module 182 may provide the benefit of performing PDCCH candidate search and monitoring efficiently.

The base station operations module 182 may provide information 190 to the one or more receivers 178. For example, the base station operations module 182 may inform the receiver(s) 178 when or when not to receive transmissions based on the RRC message (e.g, broadcasted system information, RRC reconfiguration message), MAC control element, and/or the DCI (Downlink Control Information).

The base station operations module 182 may provide information 188 to the demodulator 172. For example, the base station operations module 182 may inform the demodulator 172 of a modulation pattern anticipated for transmissions from the UE(s) 102.

The base station operations module 182 may provide information 186 to the decoder 166. For example, the base station operations module 182 may inform the decoder 166 of an anticipated encoding for transmissions from the UE(s) 102.

The base station operations module 182 may provide information 101 to the encoder 109. The information 101 may include data to be encoded and/or instructions for encoding. For example, the base station operations module 182 may instruct the encoder 109 to encode transmission data 105 and/or other information 101.

In general, the base station operations module 182 may enable the base station 160 to communicate with one or more network nodes (e.g., a NG mobility management function, a NG core UP functions, a mobility management entity (MME), serving gateway (S-GW), gNBs). The base station operations module 182 may also generate a RRC reconfiguration message to be signaled to the UE 102.

The encoder 109 may encode transmission data 105 and/or other information 101 provided by the base station operations module 182. For example, encoding the data 105 and/or other information 101 may involve error detection and/or correction coding, mapping data to space, time and/or frequency resources for transmission, multiplexing, etc. The encoder 109 may provide encoded data 111 to the modulator 113. The transmission data 105 may include network data to be relayed to the UE 102.

The base station operations module 182 may provide information 103 to the modulator 113. This information 103 may include instructions for the modulator 113. For example, the base station operations module 182 may inform the modulator 113 of a modulation type (e.g., constellation mapping) to be used for transmissions to the UE(s) 102. The modulator 113 may modulate the encoded data 111 to provide one or more modulated signals 115 to the one or more transmitters 117.

The base station operations module 182 may provide information 192 to the one or more transmitters 117. This information 192 may include instructions for the one or more transmitters 117. For example, the base station operations module 182 may instruct the one or more transmitters 117 when to (or when not to) transmit a signal to the UE(s) 102. The base station operations module 182 may provide information 192, including the PDCCH monitoring occasions and DCI format size, to the one or more transmitters 117. The base station operation module 182 may inform the transmitter(s) 117 when or where to transmit the PDCCH candidate for DCI formats with which DCI size. The one or more transmitters 117 may upconvert and transmit the modulated signal(s) 115 to one or more UEs 102.

It should be noted that one or more of the elements or parts thereof included in the base station(s) 160 and UE(s) 102 may be implemented in hardware. For example, one or more of these elements or parts thereof may be implemented as a chip, circuitry or hardware components, etc. It should also be noted that one or more of the functions or methods described herein may be implemented in and/or performed using hardware. For example, one or more of the methods described herein may be implemented in and/or realized using a chipset, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI) or integrated circuit, etc.

A base station may generate a RRC message including the one or more RRC parameters, and transmit the RRC message to a UE. A UE may receive, from a base station, a RRC message including one or more RRC parameters. The term ‘RRC parameter(s)’ in the present disclosure may be alternatively referred to as ‘RRC information element(s)’. A RRC parameter may further include one or more RRC parameter(s). In the present disclosure, a RRC message may include system information. a RRC message may include one or more RRC parameters. A RRC message may be sent on a broadcast control channel (BCCH) logical channel, a common control channel (CCCH) logical channel or a dedicated control channel (DCCH) logical channel.

In the present disclosure, a description ‘a base station may configure a UE to’ may also imply/refer to ‘a base station may transmit, to a UE, an RRC message including one or more RRC parameters’. Additionally or alternatively, ‘RRC parameter configure a UE to’ may also refer to ‘a base station may transmit, to a UE, an RRC message including one or more RRC parameters’. Additionally or alternatively, ‘a UE is configured to’ may also refer to ‘a UE may receive, from a base station, an RRC message including one or more RRC parameters’.

A base station may transmit a RRC message including one or more RRC parameters related to BWP configuration to a UE. A UE may receive the RRC message including one or more RRC parameters related to BWP configuration from a base station. For each cell, the base station may configure at least an initial DL BWP and one initial uplink bandwidth parts (initial UL BWP) to the UE. Furthermore, the base station may configure additional UL and DL BWPs to the UE for a cell.

A RRC parameters initialDownlinkBWP may indicate the initial downlink BWP (initial DL BWP) configuration for a serving cell (e.g., a SpCell and Scell). The base station may configure the RRC parameter locationAndBandwidth included in the initialDownlinkBWP so that the initial DL BWP contains the entire CORESET 0 of this serving cell in the frequency domain. The locationAndBandwidth may be used to indicate the frequency domain location and bandwidth of a BWP. A RRC parameters initialUplinkBWP may indicate the initial uplink BWP (initial UL BWP) configuration for a serving cell (e.g., a SpCell and Scell). The base station may transmit initialDownlinkBWP and/or initialUplinkBWP which may be included in SIB1, RRC parameter ServingCellConfigCommon, or RRC parameter ServingCellConfig to the UE.

SIB1, which is a cell-specific system information block (SystemInformationBlock, SIB), may contain information relevant when evaluating if a UE is allowed to access a cell and define the scheduling of other system information. SIB1 may also contain radio resource configuration information that is common for all UEs and barring information applied to the unified access control. The RRC parameter ServingCellConfigCommon is used to configure cell specific parameters of a UE's serving cell. The RRC parameter ServingCellConfig is used to configure (add or modify) the UE with a serving cell, which may be the SpCell or an SCell of an MCS or SCG. The RRC parameter ServingCellConfig herein are mostly UE specific but partly also cell specific.

The base station may configure the UE with a RRC parameter BWP-Downlink and a RRC parameter BWP-Uplink. The RRC parameter BWP-Downlink can be used to configure an additional DL BWP. The RRC parameter BWP-Uplink can be used to configure an additional UL BWP. The base station may transmit the BWP-Downlink and the BWP-Uplink which may be included in RRC parameter ServingCellConfig to the UE.

If a UE is not configured (provided) initialDownlinkBWP from a base station, an initial DL BWP is defined by a location and number of contiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs), starting from a PRB with the lowest index and ending at a PRB with the highest index among PRBs of a CORESET for Type0-PDCCH CSS set (i.e., CORESET 0), and a subcarrier spacing (SCS) and a cyclic prefix for PDCCH reception in the CORESET for Type0-PDCCH CSS set. If a UE is configured (provided) initialDownlinkBWP from a base station, the initial DL BWP is provided by initialDownlinkBWP. If a UE is configured (provided) initialUplinkBWP from a base station, the initial UL BWP is provided by initialUplinkBWP.

The UE may be configured by the based station, at least one initial BWP and up to 4 additional BWP(s). One of the initial BWP and the configured additional BWP(s) may be activated as an active BWP. The UE may monitor DCI format, and/or receive PDSCH in the active DL BWP. The UE may not monitor DCI format, and/or receive PDSCH in a DL BWP other than the active DL BWP. The UE may transmit PUSCH and/or PUCCH in the active UL BWP. The UE may not transmit PUSCH and/or PUCCH in a BWP other than the active UL BWP.

As above-mentioned, a UE may monitor DCI format in the active DL BWP. To be more specific, a UE may monitor a set of PDCCH candidates in one or more CORESETs on the active DL BWP on each activated serving cell configured with PDCCH monitoring according to corresponding search space set where monitoring implies decoding each PDCCH candidate according to the monitored DCI formats.

A set of PDCCH candidates for a UE to monitor is defined in terms of PDCCH search space sets. A search space set can be a CSS set or a USS set. A UE may monitor a set of PDCCH candidates in one or more of the following search space sets

-   -   a Type0-PDCCH CSS set configured by pdcch-ConfigSIB1 in MIB or         by searchSpaceSIB1 in PDCCH-ConfigCommon or by searchSpaceZero         in PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a         SI-RNTI on the primary cell of the MCG     -   a Type0A-PDCCH CSS set configured by         searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation in PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a         DCI format with CRC scrambled by a SI-RNTI on the primary cell         of the MCG     -   a Type1-PDCCH CSS set configured by ra-SearchSpace in         PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a         RA-RNTI or a TC-RNTI on the primary cell     -   Type2-PDCCH CSS set configured by pagingSearchSpace in         PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a         P-RNTI on the primary cell of the MCG     -   a Type3-PDCCH CSS set configured by SearchSpace in PDCCH-Config         with searchSpaceType=common for DCI formats with CRC scrambled         by INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, or         TPC-SRS-RNTI and, only for the primary cell, C-RNTI, MCS-C-RNTI,         or CS-RNTI(s), and     -   a USS set configured by SearchSpace in PDCCH-Config with         searchSpaceType=ue-Specific for DCI formats with CRC scrambled         by C-RNTI, MCS-C-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, or CS-RNTI(s).

For a DL BWP, if a UE is configured (provided) one above-described search space set, the UE may determine PDCCH monitoring occasions for a set of PDCCH candidates of the configured search space set. PDCCH monitoring occasions for monitoring PDCCH candidates of a search space set s is determined according to the search space set s configuration and a CORESET configuration associated with the search space sets. In other words, a UE may monitor a set of PDCCH candidates of the search space set in the determined (configured) PDCCH monitoring occasions in one or more configured control resource sets (CORESETs) according to the corresponding search space set configurations and CORESET configuration. A base station may transmit, to a UE, information to specify one or more CORESET configuration and/or search space configuration. The information may be included in MIB and/or SIBs broadcasted by the base station. The information may be included in RRC configurations or RRC parameters. A base station may broadcast system information such as MIB, SIBs to indicate CORESET configuration or search space configuration to a UE. Or the base station may transmit a RRC message including one or more RRC parameters related to CORESET configuration and/or search space configuration to a UE.

An illustration of search space set configuration is described below.

A base station may transmit a RRC message including one or more RRC parameters related to search space configuration. A base station may determine one or more RRC parameter(s) related to search space configuration for a UE. A UE may receive, from a base station, a RRC message including one or more RRC parameters related to search space configuration. RRC parameter(s) related to search space configuration (e.g. SearchSpace, searchSpaceZero) defines how and where to search for PDCCH candidates. ‘search/monitor for PDCCH candidate for a DCI format’ may also refer to ‘monitor/search for a DCI format’ for short.

For example, a RRC parameter searchSpaceZero is used to configure a common search space 0 of an initial DL BWP. The searchSpaceZero corresponds to 4 bits. The base station may transmit the searchSpaceZero via PBCH(MIB) or ServingCell.

Additionally, a RRC parameter SearchSpace is used to define how/where to search for PDCCH candidates. The RRC parameters search space may include a plurality of RRC parameters as like, searchSpaceId, controlResourceSetId, monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset, duration, monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot, nrofCandidates, searchSpaceType. Some of the above-mentioned RRC parameters may be present or absent in the RRC parameters SearchSpace. Namely, the RRC parameter SearchSpace may include all the above-mentioned RRC parameters. Namely, the RRC parameter SearchSpace may include one or more of the above-mentioned RRC parameters. If some of the parameters are absent in the RRC parameter SearchSpace, the UE 102 may apply a default value for each of those parameters.

Herein, the RRC parameter searchSpaceId is an identity or an index of a search space. The RRC parameter searchSpaceId is used to identify a search space. Or rather, the RRC parameter serchSpaceId provide a search space set index s, 0<=s<40. Then a search space s hereinafter may refer to a search space identified by index s indicated by RRC parameter searchSpaceId. The RRC parameter controlResourceSetId concerns an identity of a CORESET, used to identify a CORESET. The RRC parameter controlResourceSetId indicates an association between the search space s and the CORESET identified by controlResourceSetId. The RRC parameter controlResourceSetId indicates a CORESET applicable for the search space. CORESET p hereinafter may refer to a CORESET identified by index p indicated by RRC parameter controlResourceSetId. Each search space is associated with one CORESET. The RRC parameter monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset is used to indicate slots for PDCCH monitoring configured as periodicity and offset. Specifically, the RRC parameter monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset indicates a PDCCH monitoring periodicity of k_(s) slots and a PDCCH monitoring offset of o_(s) slots. A UE can determine which slot is configured for PDCCH monitoring according to the RRC parameter monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset. The RRC parameter monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot is used to indicate a first symbol(s) for PDCCH monitoring in the slots configured for PDCCH monitoring. That is, the parameter monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot provides a PDCCH monitoring pattern within a slot, indicating first symbol(s) of the CORESET within a slot (configured slot) for PDCCH monitoring. The RRC parameter duration indicates a number of consecutive slots T_(s) that the search space lasts (or exists) in every occasion (PDCCH occasion, PDCCH monitoring occasion).

The RRC parameter may include aggregationLevel1, aggregationLevel2, aggregationLevel4, aggregationLevel8, aggregationLevel16. The RRC parameter nrofCandidates may provide a number of PDCCH candidates per CCE aggregation level L by aggregationLevel1, aggregationLevel2, aggregationLevel4, aggregationLevel8, and aggregationLevel16, for CCE aggregation level 1, CCE aggregation level 2, CCE aggregation level 4, for CCE aggregation level 8, and CCE aggregation level 16, respectively. In other words, the value L can be set to either one in the set {1, 2, 4, 8, 16}. The number of PDCCH candidates per CCE aggregation level L can be configured as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8. For example, in a case the number of PDCCH candidates per CCE aggregation level L is configured as 0, the UE may not search for PDCCH candidates for CCE aggregation L. That is, in this case, the UE may not monitor PDCCH candidates for CCE aggregation L of a search space set s. For example, the number of PDCCH candidates per CCE aggregation level L is configured as 4, the UE may monitor 4 PDCCH candidates for CCE aggregation level L of a search space set s.

The RRC parameter searchSpaceType is used to indicate that the search space set s is either a CSS set or a USS set. The RRC parameter searchSpaceType may include either a common or a ue-Specific. The RRC parameter common configure the search space set s as a CSS set and DCI format to monitor. The RRC parameter ue-Specific configures the search space set s as a USS set. The RRC parameter ue-Specific may include dci-Formats. The RRC parameter dci-Formats indicates to monitor PDCCH candidates either for DCI format 0_0 and DCI format 1_0, or for DCI format 0_1 and DCI format 1_1 in search space set s. That is, the RRC parameter searchSpaceType indicates whether the search space set s is a CSS set or a USS set as well as DCI formats to monitor for.

A USS at CCE aggregation level L is defined by a set of PDCCH candidates for CCE aggregation L. A USS set may be constructed by a plurality of USS corresponding to respective CCE aggregation level L. A USS set may include one or more USS(s) corresponding to respective CCE aggregation level L. A CSS at CCE aggregation level L is defined by a set of PDCCH candidates for CCE aggregation L. A CSS set may be constructed by a plurality of USS corresponding to respective CCE aggregation level L. A CSS set may include one or more CSS(s) corresponding to respective CCE aggregation level L.

As above-mentioned, the PDCCH is used for transmitting or carrying Downlink Control Information (DCI). Thus, ‘PDCCH’ and ‘DCI (or DCI format, or PDCCH candidates)’ are virtually interchangeable. In other words, ‘a UE monitors PDCCH’ implies ‘a UE monitors PDCCH for a DCI format’. That is, ‘a UE monitors PDCCH’ implies ‘a UE monitors PDCCH for detection of a configured DCI format’.

‘a UE monitors PDCCH’ can also refer to ‘a UE monitors PDCCH candidates for a DCI format’. Additionally, ‘a UE monitors PDCCH for a search space set s’ also refers to ‘a UE may monitor a set of PDCCH candidates of the search space set s’. To be specific, ‘a UE monitor PDCCH for a search space set s’ also refers to ‘a UE may attempt to decode each PDCCH candidate of the search space set s according to the monitored DCI formats’.

In the present disclosure, the term “PDCCH search space sets” may also refer to “PDCCH search space”. A UE monitors PDCCH candidates in one or more search space sets. A search space sets can be a common search space (CSS) set or a UE-specific search space (USS) set. In some implementations, a CSS set may be shared/configured among multiple UEs. The multiple UEs may search PDCCH candidates in the CSS set. In some implementations, a USS set is configured for a specific UE. The UE may search one or more PDCCH candidates in the USS set. In some implementations, a USS set may be at least derived from a value of C-RNTI addressed to a UE.

An illustration of CORESET configuration is described below.

A base station may configure a UE one or more CORESETs for each DL BWP in a serving cell. For example, a RRC parameter ControlResourceSetZero is used to configure CORESET 0 of an initial DL BWP. The RRC parameter ControlResourceSetZero corresponds to 4 bits. The base station may transmit ControlResourceSetZero, which may be included in MIB or RRC parameter ServingCellConfigCommon, to the UE. MIB may include the system information transmitted on BCH(PBCH). A RRC parameter related to initial DL BWP configuration may also include the RRC parameter ControlResourceSetZero. RRC parameter ServingCellConfigCommon is used to configure cell specific parameters of a UE's serving cell and contains parameters which a UE would typically acquire from SSB, MIB or SIBs when accessing the cell form IDLE.

Additionally, a RRC parameter ControlResourceSet is used to configure a time and frequency CORESET other than CORESET 0. The RRC parameter ControlResourceSet may include a plurality of RRC parameters such as, ControlResourceSetId, frequencyDomainResource, duration, cce-REG-MappingType, precoderGranularity, tci-PresentInDCI, pdcch-DMRS-ScramblingID and so on.

Here, the RRC parameter ControlResourceSetId is an CORESET index p, used to identify a CORESET within a serving cell, where 0<p<12. The RRC parameter duration indicates a number of consecutive symbols of the CORESET N_(symb) ^(CORESET), which can be configured as 1, 2 or 3 symbols. A CORESET consists of a set of N_(RB) ^(CORESET) resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain and N_(symb) ^(CORESET) symbols in the time domain. The RRC parameter frequencyDomainResource indicates the set of N_(RB) ^(CORESET) RBs for the CORESET. Each bit in the frequencyDomainResource corresponds a group of 6 RBs, with grouping starting from the first RB group in the BWP. The first (left-most/most significant) bit corresponds to the first RB group in the BWP, and so on. A bit that is set to 1 indicates that this RB group belongs to the frequency domain resource of this CORESET.

According to the CORESET configuration, a CORESET (a CORESET 0 or a CORESET p) consists of a set of PRBs with a time duration of 1 to 3 OFDM symbols. The resource units Resource Element Groups (REGs) and Control Channel Elements (CCEs) are defined within a CORESET. A CCE consisting of 6 REGs where a REG equals one resource block during one OFDM symbol. Control channels are formed by aggregation of CCE. That is, a PDCCH consists of one or more CCEs. Different code rates for the control channels are realized by aggregating different number of CCE. Interleaved and non-interleaved CCE-to-REG mapping are supported in a CORESET. Each resource element group carrying PDCCH carries its own DMRS.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one example 200 of REG and CCE resource numbering for a CORESET.

The UE 102 may monitor a set of PDCCH candidates for a search space set in a CORESET p which consist of a set of N_(RB) ^(CORESET) PRBs and one sets of N_(symb) ^(CORESET) consecutive OFDM symbols. The resource blocks N_(RB) ^(CORESET) PRBs configured for the CORESET can be contiguous or can be not contiguous in the frequency domain. For the CORESET, the REGs within the CORESET are numbered in increasing order in time-first manner, starting with 0 for the first OFDM symbol and the lowest-numbered resource block in the CORESET. In FIG. 2 , REGs within the CORESET are numbered in increasing order in time-first manner, starting with 0 for the first OFDM symbol and the lowest-numbered resource block in the 202. The REGs within the CORESET 202 are numbered by 0 to 35 by the time-first manner. The REGs for different PDCCH monitoring occasion in a same CORESET are numbered by the same way. That is, one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in a same CORESET may have same REG mapping.

On the other hand, in the present disclosure, the OFDM symbols configured for CORESET in time domain can be contiguous or can be not contiguous. For example, the CORESET in time domain may consist of more than one set of consecutive OFDM symbol(s). The number of consecutive OFDM symbol(s) for each set can be same and may be indicated by one same RRC parameter. Additionally, the number of consecutive OFDM symbol(s) for each set can be different and can be indicated by corresponding RRC parameters, respectively. These RRC parameters relating to the number of consecutive OFDM symbol(s) for each set can be included in the CORESET configuration and/or search space configuration. The CORESET for PDCCH monitoring can cross one or multiple slots.

In FIG. 2 , NCCE, N_(CCE, p) is the number of CCEs, numbered from 0 to (N_(CCE,p)−1), in the CORESET. The CORESET herein comprises of 6 CCEs. According to the CCE-to-REG mapping, UE 102 may determine a CCE comprising of which corresponding REGs. For non-interleaved CCE-to-REG mapping, all CCEs for a DCI with AL L are mapped in consecutive REG bundles of the CORESET. For example, for non-interleaved CCE-to-REG mapping, a CCE with index 0 (CCE#0) 206 comprises of 6 consecutive REGs with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. For interleaved CCE-to-REG mapping, REG bundles constituting the CCEs for a PDCCH are distributed in the frequency domain in units of REG bundles. A REG bundle i is defined as REGs {i*B, i*B+1, . . . , i*B+B−1} where B is the REG bundle size indicated by the base station.

The UE 102 can determine the CCE indexes for aggregation level L corresponding to PDCCH candidates of a USS for a USS set based on the value of C-RNTI addressed to the UE. The UE can determine the CCE indexes for aggregation level L corresponding to PDCCH candidates of a CSS for a CSS set without the value of C-RNTI addressed to the UE.

To be more specific, for a search space set s associated with CORESET p, the CCE indexes for aggregation level L corresponding to PDCCH candidate m_(s,n_CI) of the search space set in slot n for an active DL BWP of a serving cell corresponding to carrier indicator field value, CIF value, n_CI are given by Formula (4) L*((Y_(p,n)+floor((m_(s,n_CI)*N_(CCE, p))/(L*M_(s,max) ^((L))))+n_CI)mod (floor(N_(CCE, p)/L)))+i. The parameters in the Formula (4) are illustrated as below: for any CSS, Y_(p,n) is equal to 0, while for a USS, Y_(p,n)=(A_(p)*Y_(p,n−1)) mod D where Y_(p,−1)=n_(RNTI)≠0, A_(p)=39827 for p mod 3=0, A_(p)=39829 for p mod 3=1, A_(p)=39839 for p mod 3=2, and D=65537; slot n can be denoted by n^(u) _(s,f) representing the slot number within a radio frame with respect to the SCS configuration u; i=0, . . . , L−1; N_(CCE, p) is the number of CCEs, numbered from 0 to (N_(CCE, p)−1), in CORESET p; n_(RNTI) is an value of C-RNTI provided by the base station for the UE; n_CI is the carrier indicator field value if the UE 102 is configured with a carrier indicator field for the serving cell on which PDCCH is monitored; otherwise, including for any CSS, the n_CI is equal to 0; m_(s,n_CI)=0, . . . , M_(s,n_CI) ^((L))−1, where M_(s,n_CI) ^((L)) is the number of PDCCH candidates the UE is configured to monitor for aggregation level L of the search space set s for a serving cell corresponding to n_CI; for any CSS, M_(s,max) ^((L))=M_(s,0) ^((L)); for a USS, M_(s,max) ^((L)) is the maximum of M_(s,n_CI) ^((L)) over all configured n_CI values for a CCE aggregation level L of search space set s. m_(s,n_CI) is an index of a PDCCH candidate the UE configured to monitor per aggregation level L of the search space set s.

Here, in a CORESET associated with a search space set s, a set of CCEs for AL L are those determining CCE indexes where the PDCCH candidates, the UE 102 is configured to monitor for ALL of the search space set, are placed. Here, a set of CCEs for AL L can also refer to a USS. That is, a search space sets may comprise of one or more corresponding sets of CCEs for respective AL L. A set of CCEs can also refer to as ‘a USS’. A set of CCEs for ALL can also refer to ‘a USS at AL L’.

As above-mentioned, the UE 102 may receive, from the base station 160, a RRC message including one or more RRC parameters related to search space configuration. The UE 102 may determine PDCCH monitoring occasions for PDCCH candidates for each search space set s based on the received the RRC parameters. The UE 102 may monitor PDCCH candidates for each search space set s in the determined PDCCH monitoring occasions. For example, a RRC parameter (e.g. SearchSpace) may provide the UE 102 for a search space sets, that a PDCCH monitoring periodicity of k_(s) slots, a PDCCH monitoring offset of o_(s)slots, a duration of T_(s), a PDCCH monitoring pattern within a slot, and so on.

In order to monitor a set of PDCCH candidates of a search space set, the UE may determine PDCCH monitoring occasions according to the search space set configuration and associated CORESET configuration. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating one example 300 how to determine PDCCH monitoring occasions for PDCCH candidates based on corresponding search space set configuration and CORESET configuration.

In FIG. 3 , the PDCCH monitoring periodicity k_(s) is configured as 6 slots. The PDCCH monitoring offset o_(s) is configured as 2 slots. The duration T_(s) is configured as 2 slots. The subcarrier spacing configuration u is configured as 0, which means the subcarrier spacing of the active DL BWP is 15 kHz. In this case u=0, N^(frame,u) _(slot) is equal to 10. That is, in a case u=0, the number of slots per frame is 10. n^(u) _(s,f) is the slot number within a radio frame. That is, the value of n^(u) _(s,f) is in a range of {0, . . . , N^(frame,u) _(slot)−1}.

The UE 102 may determine a PDCCH monitoring occasion on an active DL BWP from the PDCCH monitoring periodicity, the PDCCH monitoring offset, and the PDCCH monitoring pattern within a slot for each configured search space set s. For a search space set s, the UE 102, if the slot with number n^(u) _(s,f) satisfies Formula (1) (n_(f)*N^(frame,u) _(slot)+n^(u) _(s,f)−o_(s)) mod k_(s)=0, may determine that a PDCCH monitoring occasion(s) exists in a slot with number n^(u) _(s,f) in a frame with number n_(f). According to Formula (1), the UE 102 may determine the slots with number n^(u) _(s,f)=2 and n^(u) _(s,f)=8 in a frame with number n_(f)=0 and the slot with number n^(u) _(sf)=4 in a frame with number n_(f)=1 as the slots in which the PDCCH monitoring occasions exists. Given the T_(s) is configured as 2 slots, the UE 102 may monitor PDCCH candidates for search space set s for T_(s)=2 consecutive slots, staring from the determined the slots with number n^(u) _(s,f). In other words, the UE 102 may not monitor PDCCH candidates for search space set s for the next (k_(s)−T_(s)) consecutive slots. As depicted in FIG. 3 , the UE 102 may determine the slots with number n^(u) _(s,f)=2, 3, 8, and 9 in a frame with number n_(f·).=0 and the slots with number n^(u) _(s,f)=4 and 5 in a frame with number n_(f)=1 as the slots having PDCCH monitoring occasions. The UE 102 may monitor PDCCH candidates for search space set s in the determined slots configured for PDCCH monitoring. A slot having PDCCH monitoring occasions may also refer to a slot configured for PDCCH monitoring.

Furthermore, a slot determined (or configured) for PDCCH monitoring may have one or more than one PDCCH monitoring occasions. PDCCH monitoring pattern within the slot configured for PDCCH monitoring is indicated by a 14-bits string (monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot). Each bit within the 14-bits string may correspond to a symbol within a slot, respectively. The most significant (left) bit (MSB) may represent the first OFDM in a slot, and the second most significant (left) bit may represent the second OFDM symbol in a slot and so on. The bit(s) set to one may identify the first OFDM symbol(s) of the control resource set within a slot. As depicted in FIG. 3 , a slot 302 configured for PDCCH monitoring may have two PDCCH monitoring occasions. The first PDCCH monitoring occasion 304 is located on the first, second and third consecutive symbols. The second PDCCH monitoring occasion 306 is located on the 8^(th), 9^(th), and 10^(th) consecutive OFDM symbols. The duration of one PDCCH monitoring occasion is equal to the duration of a CORESET associated with the search space sets. Generally, the duration of one PDCCH monitoring occasion (the number of the consecutive OFDM symbols for one PDCCH monitoring occasion) can be 1, 2 or 3 symbols. In the FIG. 3 , a CORESET comprises one PDCCH monitoring occasion with 3 consecutive ODM symbols in the time domain.

According to the FIG. 3 , the UE may monitor a set of PDCCH candidates for the search space set s in the first PDCCH monitoring occasion 304 in the associated CORESET and may further monitor a set of PDCCH candidates for the search space set s in the second PDCCH monitoring occasion 306 in the CORESET in each slot in which the PDCCH monitoring is configured for the search space set s. Here, each PDCCH candidate for the search space set s is mapped in a resource of the associated CORESET in each PDCCH monitoring occasion. In other words, one PDCCH candidate for the search space set s is mapped to one associated CORESET in one PDCCH monitoring occasion. One PDCCH candidate for the search space set s is not mapped to more than one associated CORESET in different PDCCH monitoring occasions. For example, one PDCCH candidate for the search space set s is not mapped to both the first PDCCH monitoring occasion 304 and the second PDCCH monitoring occasion 306.

For some new type UE which may have less reception antennas or reduced RF bandwidth compared to the Release 15/16 UE, some performance as like the coverage, or the reliability of PDCCH reception would be affected. Solutions as like to repeat the PDCCH candidate transmission or to utilize more resource of a CORESET to map one PDCCH candidate would be necessary for improve the coverage for PDCCH transmission and the PDCCH reception reliability. PDCCH candidate repetition in different time domain in a same CORESET, which also results in a lower code rate of PDCCH reception, would be beneficial for the new type UE (with reduced capability compared to the Release 15/16 UE) to achieve reliable PDCCH reception and enhance the coverage. For PDCCH candidate repetition, the UE would soft-combine the repeated PDCCH candidates and perform the channel coding for the PDCCH candidate. Hereinafter, the new type UE with reduced capability compared to the Release 15/16 UE can also refer to as ‘RedCap UE’.

In various implementations of the present disclosure, ‘PDCCH repetition’ refers to ‘a PDCCH candidate repetition’. ‘a PDCCH candidate’ herein refers to ‘a PDCCH candidate for a DCI format’. ‘a PDCCH candidate repetition’ implies a PDCCH candidate with a same CCE aggregation level L for a same DCI format of a same search space set s is repeated in one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in a same CORESET associated with the search space set s. Furthermore, ‘a PDCCH candidate is repeated’ means ‘a PDCCH candidate with a same index m_(s,n_CI) is repeated’. That is, each PDCCH candidate for repetition may carry same downlink control information (or, same payload size, same information bits). Furthermore, the CCE indexes corresponding to each PDCCH candidate for repetition are same.

According to the FIG. 2 , a CORESET in the time domain comprises one set of consecutive OFDM symbols (also referred as to one PDCCH monitoring occasion in the time domain) with 1, 2 or 3 symbols. In the present disclosure, a UE may monitor a PDCCH candidate of a search space set in a set of one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions (one or more set of consecutive OFDM symbols) in a CORESET. These PDCCH monitoring occasions can be consecutive or non-consecutive in the time domain.

In various implementations of the present disclosure, each PDCCH candidate with a same index for a search space set s is repeated in one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in a (same) CORESET associated with the search space set s. Furthermore, ‘one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in a (same) CORESET’ may refer to as ‘one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in one or more CORESETs with the same index configured by RRC parameter related to CORESET configuration’. ‘one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in a (same) CORESET’ may be considered since one frequency domain resource is defined by an index of a CORESET configuration. However, since the CORESET configuration includes a duration of a CORESET and each of one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions has the duration, ‘one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions in one or more CORESETs with the same index configured by RRC parameter related to CORESET configuration’ may be appropriate in some case.

By repeating one PDCCH candidate (i.e. By repeating one PDCCH) in one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions, more resource are used for transmission of each PDCCH candidate and the soft-combination of the repeated PDCCH candidate results in a lower code rating of the PDCCH, which eventually improve the PDCCH reception reliability and coverage.

Each PDCCH for a first search space set is transmitted in one PDCCH monitoring occasion and could be repeated in one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions. The base station 160 may repeat each PDCCH in one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions. The UE 102 may monitor each PDCCH repeated in one ore more PDCCH monitoring occasions.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one implementation of a method 600 for determining PDCCH repetition and a starting slot of a PDSCH transmission received by a UE 102.

In the implementation of the present disclosure, a UE 102 may receive 602, from a base station 160, first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of PDCCH repetitions. A slot format includes downlink symbols, uplink symbols, and flexible symbols. The first information indicates to the UE 102 a slot format per each slot. The UE 102 may set the slot format per slot based on the first information. That is, the UE 102 may determine, based on the first information, a set of symbols in per slot as downlink symbols, uplink symbols, or flexible symbols. The base station 160 may determine the slot format per slot and generate the RRC parameters and/or DCI format to indicate a slot format per slot to the UE 102. The UE 102 is provided the second information by RRC parameters and/or DCI format. For example, for a set of symbols that are indicated to the UE 102 as uplink symbols, the UE 102 does not monitor a PDCCH repetition in a PDCCH monitoring occasion which may overlap or partially overlap with the set of symbols.

Additionally or alternatively, besides indicating a slot format, the first information may also indicate invalid symbols to the UE 102. The UE 102 may not perform DL reception and/or UL transmission in those indicated invalid symbols. For example, the UE 102 may not receive (monitor) a PDCCH repetition in a PDCCH monitoring occasion if at least one symbol of the PDCCH monitoring occasion is indicated by the second information as invalid symbols.

At 602, the UE 102 may monitor PDCCH repetitions based on the second information for a first search space set in a first CORESET. The UE 102 is configured with the first search space set and the first CORESET by respective corresponding RRC parameter. The first CORESET is associated with the first search space set. Specifically, the UE 102 may receive a RRC parameter SearchSpace related to the first search space set. The RRC parameter SearchSpace defines how and where to search for PDCCH candidates for a DCI format for the first search space set. The UE 102 may be provided with e configured by respective corresponding RRC parameters ControlResourceSet. The UE 102 may receive a RRC parameter ControlResourceSet related to the first CORESET. The RRC parameter ControlResourceSet configures a time and frequency control resource set in which to search for downlink control information. Different CORESETs are configured by respective corresponding RRC parameters ControlResourceSet.

The maximum number of PDCCH repetitions indicated by the second information is a maximum repetition number that the UE is configured to monitor PDCCH. In the present disclosure, a UE 102 may be provided one maximum number of PDCCH repetition or more than one maximum number of PDCCH repetition. If a maximum number of PDCCH repetition is applied to repetitions of a PDCCH transmission, the base station 160 may repeatedly transmit a PDCCH candidate with a repetition number being equal to or less than the maximum number of PDCCH repetition. If a repetition number of a PDCCH transmission reaches to the maximum number of PDCCH repetition, the base station 160 may not further transmit the repetition of the PDCCH transmission and the UE may not further monitor the repetition of the PDCCH transmission.

In an example, a UE 102 may be only provided one maximum number of PDCCH repetition by the second information. That is, the maximum number of PDCCH repetition is applied to one or more CORESETs configured to the UE 102 by the corresponding one or more RRC parameters controlResourceSet. The maximum number of PDCCH repetition is a common number for PDCCH repetition in the one or more configured CORESETs.

In an example, The UE may be provided more than one maximum numbers of PDCCH repetition by the second information. In this case, the UE may further determine, based on a received RRC parameter (or a DCI format), which one of the more than one maximum numbers of PDCCH repetition is applied to the PDCCH repetitions for the first search space set. Furthermore, a RRC parameter included in the RRC parameter SearchSpace can be used to directly indicate a maximum number of PDCCH repetition. Then the maximum number of PDCCH repetition is applied to PDCCH repetition transmission for the search space set. Thus, according to this way, different maximum numbers of PDCCH repetition can be configured for PDCCH repetition for different search space sets. Alternatively, a RRC parameter included in the RRC parameter ControlResourceSet can be used to directly indicate a maximum number of PDCCH repetition. Then the maximum number of PDCCH repetition is applied to PDCCH repetition transmission in the CORESET. In other words, the same maximum number of PDCCH repetition can be applied to one or more search space sets associated with the CORESET. Thus, according to this way, different maximum numbers of PDCCH repetition can be configured for PDCCH repetition for different CORESETs.

Through this kind of indication by the RRC parameter, the base station 160 is capable of configuring the UE 102 different maximum numbers of PDCCH repetition for different search space sets or different CORESETs.

As above-mentioned at 602, the UE 102 is configured to monitor PDCCH repetitions based on the second information for a first search space set in a first CORESET. To be specific, the UE 102 may determine, based on the second information and the received RRC parameters (e.g. SearchSpace and ControlResourceSet), PDCCH monitoring occasions configured for PDCCH repetitions. For example, the UE 102 may first determine, based on the received RRC parameter SearchSpace and/or the RRC parameter ControlResourceSet, a first PDCCH monitoring occasion configured for a first one of repetitions of a PDCCH transmission. Then, the PDCCH (each PDCCH candidate) is repeated in a set of consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions staring with the first PDCCH monitoring occasion. The total number of the set of consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions is equal to or less than the maximum number of PDCCH repetition. The determination of PDCCH monitoring occasions for the first search space set is illustrated in the FIG. 3 .

The UE 102 may 604 determine, based on the first information, whether each configured PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions is transmitted or not. In other words, the UE 102 may determine, based on the first formation, whether some PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set of consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions can be used for reception of PDCCH repetitions. To be specific, for each PDCCH monitoring occasion in the set, the UE 102 may determine, based on the first information, whether the PDCCH monitoring occasion can be used for reception of PDCCH repetition. That is, for each PDCCH repetition in the set of consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions, the UE 102 may determine, based on the first information, whether to omit monitoring a PDCCH repetition. For example, if at lease one symbol of a PDCCH monitoring occasion is indicated by the first information as uplink symbol (or invalid symbol), the UE 102 may determine the PDCCH monitoring occasion as an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion for reception of PDCCH repetition. For example, if a set of symbols of which a PDCCH monitoring occasion consists is indicated by the first information as downlink symbol (or valid symbol), the UE 102 may determine the PDCCH monitoring occasion as an applicable PDCCH monitoring occasion for reception of PDCCH repetition.

If the UE 102 determines a PDCCH monitoring occasion as an applicable (or valid) PDCCH monitoring occasion for reception of PDCCH repetition, the UE 102 may monitor PDCCH repetition in the PDCCH monitoring occasion. If the UE 102 determines a PDCCH monitoring occasion as an inapplicable (or invalid) PDCCH monitoring occasion for reception of PDCCH repetition, the UE 102 may not monitor (detect, or receive) PDCCH repetition in the PDCCH monitoring occasion. The base station 160 may transmit a PDCCH repetition in an applicable PDCCH monitoring occasion and may not transmit a PDCCH repetition in an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example 400 for determining PDCCH repetition and PDSCH transmission by a UE 102.

In the FIG. 4 , the UE 102 may determine the PDCCH monitoring occasions for the first search space set in the first CORESET as illustrated in the FIG. 3 . The determined PDCCH monitoring occasions are 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408. The maximum number of PDCCH repetition for the first search space set herein is indicated to the UE as 6. The UE 102 may further determine the PDCCH monitoring occasion 402 as the first PDCCH monitoring occasion for PDCCH repetition. The UE 102 may assume that the PDCCH is repeated in 6 consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions starting with the first PDCCH monitoring occasion 402. That is, the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 are a set of PDCCH monitoring occasions configured for PDCCH repetition. The set of PDCCH monitoring occasions are used for reception of PDCCH repetitions. Based on the first information, the UE 102 may determine PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 404, 405, 406 as applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions and determine PDCCH monitoring occasions 403, 407 as inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasions. The base station 160 may repeat each PDCCH transmission in the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 404, 405, 406 and may not repeat the PDCCH transmission in the PDCCH monitoring occasions 403, 407. The UE 102 may attempt to monitor PDCCH repetition transmission in the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 404, 405, 406 and may omit monitoring PDCCH repetition transmission in the PDCCH monitoring occasions 403, 407.

In the implementation of the present disclosure, a UE 102 may not receive the PDCCH repetitions in all applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. That is, the UE 102 may be not necessary to soft-combine all the PDCCH repetitions in the all applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set and then perform the decoding for the PDCCH.

In an example, the UE 102 may orderly perform decoding for each PDCCH repetition in the set of PDCCH monitoring occasions. The UE 102 may perform decoding the PDCCH repetition received in the first PDCCH monitoring occasion in the set. If the UE 102 successfully decoded the PDCCH, the UE 102 may terminate the reception of the PDCCH repetition in the subsequent PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. If the UE 102 did not successfully decode the PDCCH, the UE 102 may further receive a PDCCH repetition in a PDCCH monitoring occasion followed the first PDCCH monitoring occasion. The UE 102 may soft-combine these two received PDCCH repetitions and perform decoding for the PDCCH. The UE 102 may continue to receive a PDCCH repetition in a PDCCH monitoring occasion in the set and soft-combine it with previously received PDCCH repetitions until the UE successfully decode the PDCCH. By this way, the UE may early decode the PDCCH.

At 604, upon detection of the PDCCH carrying downlink control information (DCI), the UE 102 may decode the corresponding PDSCH as indicated by the DCI. The DCI includes third information indicating a first number and forth information indicating timing of the PDSCH. The first number is used to indicate to the UE 102 that the base station 160 may transmit PDCCH repetitions in the first number PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set and may not further transmit PDCCH repetitions in the remaining PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. In other words, the base station 160 may repeat each PDCCH (each PDCCH candidate) across the first number consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set and may not repeat each PDCCH in the remaining PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. The first number consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions may include one or more applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions and zero, one or more inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasions. The UE 102 counts a PDCCH monitoring occasions staring from the first PDCCH monitoring occasion in the first number. For example, in the FIG. 4 , the third information indicates the first number as 4. The UE counts the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 403, 404, 405 in the first number. However, the UE 102 may monitor PDCCH repetitions in the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 404, 405 and may not monitor PDCCH repetitions in other PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. The base station 160 may repeat PDCCH transmission in the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 404, 405 and may not transmit PDCCH repetitions in other PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. The PDCCH monitoring occasion 405 is the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number. The actual repetition number of PDCCH transmitted by the base station 160 is equal to or less than the first number.

Additionally or alternatively, in some cases, the first number of the PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set may only include one or more applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions and may not include an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion. The UE 102 counts a PDCCH monitoring occasion in the first number when the PDCCH monitoring occasion is an applicable PDCCH monitoring occasion and does not count a PDCCH monitoring occasion in the first number when the PDCCH monitoring occasion is an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion. For example, in the FIG. 4 , the third information indicates the first number as 4. The UE counts the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 404, 405, 406 in the first number. The UE 102 may monitor PDCCH repetitions in the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 404, 405, 406 and may not monitor PDCCH repetitions in other PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. The base station 160 may repeat PDCCH transmission in the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 404, 405, 406 and may not transmit PDCCH repetitions in other PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set. The PDCCH monitoring occasion 406 is the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number. The actual repetition number of PDCCH transmitted by the base station 160 is equal to the first number.

Additionally or alternatively, in some cases, the first number of the PDCCH monitoring occasions in the set may only include one or more applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions and may include zero, one or more inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasions which are determined as inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasions based on the first information provided by RRC parameter. That is, the UE 102 does not count a PDCCH monitoring occasion in the first number if the UE 102 determined the PDCCH monitoring occasion an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion based on the first information provided by the DCI format. For example, in the FIG. 4 , the third information indicates the first number as 4. If the PDCCH monitoring occasion 403 is determined as an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion based on the first information provided by RRC parameters, the UE counts the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 403, 404, 405 in the first number. The PDCCH monitoring occasion 405 is the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number. If the PDCCH monitoring occasion 403 is determined as an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion based on the first information provided by DCI format, the UE counts the PDCCH monitoring occasions 402, 404, 405, 406 in the first number. The PDCCH monitoring occasion 406 is the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number. The actual repetition number of PDCCH transmitted by the base station 160 is equal to or less than the first number.

Timing of PDSCH indicated by the forth information may be a slot offset between a first slot and a starting slot of the scheduled PDSCH. If the DCI does not include the forth information, the UE may apply 0 as the value of the slot offset.

The UE 102 may 606 determine, based on the third information, a first slot in which the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is located. Herein, the first slot is determined based on the first number rather than the maximum number of PDCCH repetition. According to the above-mentioned various cases, the base station 160 may or may not transmit a PDCCH repetition in the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number in the first slot. The UE 102 may or may not receive a PDCCH repetition in the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number in the first slot.

In other words, as mentioned above, in some cases where last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is configured to be monitored in an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion, the UE 102 may determine a subsequent PDCCH monitoring occasion in the set as the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number wherein the subsequent PDCCH monitoring occasion is an applicable PDCCH monitoring occasion. If the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is already a last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the maximum number of PDCCH repetition, the UE 102 may determine this one as the last one PDCCH repetition, regardless of whether the last one PDCCH repetition is configured to be monitored in an applicable PDCCH monitoring occasion or an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion.

The UE 102 may 608 determine a starting slot of a PDSCH transmission based on the forth information and the first slot. To be more specific, the slot allocated for the PDSCH transmission (i.e. the starting slot of the PDSCH transmission) is determined based on Formula (2) Floor(n*2^(μPDSCH)/2^(μPDCCH))+K₀, where the n is the first slot, K₀ indicated by the forth information is a slot offset based on the numerology of the PDSCH, and the μ_(PDSCH) and μ_(PDCCH) are the subcarrier spacing configurations for PDSCH and PDCCH, respectively. K₀ is a slot offset between the first slot and the starting slot of the PDSCH transmission.

The slot n may be the last slot with the scheduling DCI where the scheduling DCI is configured to be monitored. The scheduling DCI is carried by the PDCCH repetition with the first number. In other words, the last slot is a slot where the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is configured to be monitored. However, according to the above-mentioned various cases, the base station 160 may or may not transmit the last one PDCCH repetition in the last slot. The UE 102 may or may not receive the last one PDCCH repetition in the last slot.

Additionally or alternatively, the slot n may be the last slot with the scheduling DCI where the scheduling DCI is transmitted. The scheduling DCI is carried by the PDCCH repetition with the first number. In other words, the last slot is a slot where the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is transmitted.

As illustrated in the FIG. 4 , the starting slot where the PDSCH 408 is allocated is determined based on the forth information and the first slot. The first slot is a slot in which the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number is located. According to the above-mentioned various cases, the first slot may be a slot in which the PDCCH monitoring occasion 405 (i.e. the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number) is located. Alternatively, according to the above-mentioned various cases, the first slot may be a slot in which the PDCCH monitoring occasion 406 (i.e. the last one PDCCH repetition of the PDCCH repetitions with the first number) is located.

In the implementation, the first number is indicated by the DCI. Thus, the base station 160 may, according to the UE's channel condition, adjust the value of the first number which can be lower than or equal to the indicated maximum number of PDCCH repetition. The base station 160 is not necessary to always transmit the PDCCH repetition with the maximum number of PDCCH repetition. The UE 102 may first assume a lower repetition number (e.g. 1) to receive the PDCCH repetitions. The UE 102 may gradually increment the repetition number to further receive the PDCCH repetitions, then soft-combine the received PDCCH repetitions, and perform decoding until the UE 102 successfully decoded the PDCCH. After successfully decoding the PDCCH, the UE 102 may determine the first number indicated by the DCI. The base station 160 may terminate the PDCCH repetition transmission after the first number PDCCH repetitions even if the indicated first number is lower than the maximum number of PDCCH repetition. The UE 102 may terminate the reception of the PDCCH repetition after successfully decoding the PDCCH and may skip monitoring the remaining PDCCH repetition transmitted by the base station 160.

The UE 102 may assume a lower repetition number to monitor the PDCCH repetitions in the lower repetition number of the consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions. Regarding the assumption of the lower repetition number for PDCCH repetition monitoring, the UE 102 may attempt to monitor the PDCCH repetition with the lower repetition number. However, for a PDCCH repetition configured to be monitored in an inapplicable PDCCH monitoring occasion, the UE 102 may omit monitoring the PDCCH repetition.

Alternatively, the UE 102 may assume a lower repetition number to monitor the PDCCH repetitions. The UE 102 may specify, based on the assumed lower repetition number and the first information, the repetition number of the PDCCH transmission configured to be monitored in those applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions. That is, the UE 102 may attempt to decode PDCCH repetitions configured to be monitored in those applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions. The base station 160 may repeat the PDCCH in those applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions. The UE 102 may monitor these PDCCH repetitions transmitted in the applicable PDCCH monitoring occasions.

An illustration of mapping of PDCCH repetition field values to a PDCCH repetition number corresponding to a maximum number of PDCCH repetition is described below. FIGS. 5A and SB illustrates same examples 500-1 and 500-2 of mapping of PDCCH repetition field values to a PDCCH repetition number corresponding to a maximum number of PDCCH repetition. In FIG. 5 , the UE 102 is provided with two maximum numbers of PDCCH repetition as X and Y. As above-mentioned, the UE 102 may determine either X or Y to apply to a PDCCH repetition.

The DCI includes third information indicating a first number. To be more specific, a DC1 field included in the DCI indicates the first number. The DCI field values map to values of the first number, as defined in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A is an example of mapping for the DCI field of 1 bit. FIG. 5B is an example of mapping for the DCI field of 2 bits.

In FIG. 5A, in a case where X is determined as the maximum number of PDCCH repetition for PDCCH transmission, DCI field values ‘0’, ‘1’ map to values of the first number X10, X11, respectively. The value of X10 is less than the value of X11. The value of X11 is equal to or less than the value of X. In a case where Y is determined as the maximum number of PDCCH repetition for PDCCH transmission, DCI field values ‘0’, ‘1’ map to values of the first number Y10, Y11, respectively. The value of Y10 is less than the value of Y11. The value of Y11 is equal to or less than the value of Y.

In FIG. 5B, in a case where X is determined as the maximum number of PDCCH repetition for PDCCH transmission, DC1 field values ‘00’, ‘01’, ‘10’, ‘11’ map to values of the first number X20, X21, X22, X23, respectively. The value of X20 is less than the value of X21. The value of X21 is less than the value of X22. The value of X22 is less than the value of X23. The value of X23 can be equal to or less than the value of X. In a case where Y is determined as the maximum number of PDCCH repetition for PDCCH transmission, DCI field values ‘00’, ‘01’, ‘10’, ‘11’ map to values of the first number Y20, Y21, Y22, Y23, respectively. The value of Y20 is less than the value of Y21. The value of Y21 is less than the value of Y22. The value of Y22 is less than the value of Y23. The value of Y23 can be equal to or less than the value of Y.

In a case where DC1 does not include third information indicating the first number, the UE 102 may determine that the maximum number of PDCCH repetition is the first number. That is, the first number is indicated by the above-mentioned second information.

FIG. 7 illustrates various components that may be utilized in a UE 702. The UE 702 (UE 102) described in connection with FIG. 7 may be implemented in accordance with the UE 102 described in connection with FIG. 1 . The UE 702 includes a processor 781 that controls operation of the UE 702. The processor 781 may also be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Memory 787, which may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a combination of the two or any type of device that may store information, provides instructions 783 a and data 785 a to the processor 781. A portion of the memory 787 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). Instructions 783 b and data 785 b may also reside in the processor 781. Instructions 783 b and/or data 785 b loaded into the processor 781 may also include instructions 783 a and/or data 785 a from memory 787 that were loaded for execution or processing by the processor 781. The instructions 783 b may be executed by the processor 781 to implement one or more of the methods 200 described above.

The UE 702 may also include a housing that contains one or more transmitters 758 and one or more receivers 720 to allow transmission and reception of data. The transmitter(s) 758 and receiver(s) 720 may be combined into one or more transceivers 718. One or more antennas 722 a-n are attached to the housing and electrically coupled to the transceiver 718.

The various components of the UE 702 are coupled together by a bus system 789, which may include a power bus, a control signal bus and a status signal bus, in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 7 as the bus system 789. The UE 702 may also include a digital signal processor (DSP) 791 for use in processing signals. The UE 702 may also include a communications interface 793 that provides user access to the functions of the UE 702. The UE 702 illustrated in FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram rather than a listing of specific components.

FIG. 8 illustrates various components that may be utilized in a base station 860. The base station 860 described in connection with FIG. 8 may be implemented in accordance with the base station 160 described in connection with FIG. 1 . The base station 860 includes a processor 881 that controls operation of the base station 860. The processor 881 may also be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Memory 887, which may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a combination of the two or any type of device that may store information, provides instructions 883 a and data 885 a to the processor 881. A portion of the memory 887 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). Instructions 883 b and data 885 b may also reside in the processor 881. Instructions 883 b and/or data 885 b loaded into the processor 881 may also include instructions 883 a and/or data 885 a from memory 887 that were loaded for execution or processing by the processor 881. The instructions 883 b may be executed by the processor 881 to implement one or more of the methods 300 described above.

The base station 860 may also include a housing that contains one or more transmitters 817 and one or more receivers 878 to allow transmission and reception of data. The transmitter(s) 817 and receiver(s) 878 may be combined into one or more transceivers 876. One or more antennas 880 a-n are attached to the housing and electrically coupled to the transceiver 876.

The various components of the base station 860 are coupled together by a bus system 889, which may include a power bus, a control signal bus and a status signal bus, in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 8 as the bus system 889. The base station 860 may also include a digital signal processor (DSP) 891 for use in processing signals. The base station 860 may also include a communications interface 893 that provides user access to the functions of the base station 860. The base station 860 illustrated in FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram rather than a listing of specific components.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a processor. The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, may denote a computer- and/or processor-readable medium that is non-transitory and tangible. By way of example, and not limitation, a computer-readable or processor-readable medium may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer or processor. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray® disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.

It should be noted that one or more of the methods described herein may be implemented in and/or performed using hardware. For example, one or more of the methods described herein may be implemented in and/or realized using circuitry, a chipset, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI) or integrated circuit, etc.

Each of the methods disclosed herein comprises one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another and/or combined into a single step without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the method that is being described, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated above. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the systems, methods and apparatus described herein without departing from the scope of the claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: reception circuitry configured to receive, from a base station, first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) repetitions, and monitor, based on the second information, PDCCH repetitions for a first search space set in a first Control Resource Set (CORESET), the PDCCH repetitions carrying Downlink Control Information (DCI), the DCI scheduling a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmission; and processing circuitry configured to determine, based on the first information, whether to forgo monitoring a PDCCH repetition among the PDCCH repetitions, and determine, based on third information included in the DCI and a first slot, a starting slot of the PDSCH transmission, the third information indicating timing of the PDSCH transmission, wherein when the DCI includes fourth information indicating a first number of PDCCH repetitions, the first slot is determined as a slot in which a last PDCCH repetition among the first number of PDCCH repetitions is located, and when the DCI does not include the fourth information, the first slot is determined as a slot in which the last PDCCH repetition among the maximum number of PDCCH repetitions is located.
 2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the last PDCCH repetition among the first number of PDCCH repetitions is not received by the UE.
 3. A base station, comprising: transmission circuitry configured to transmit, to a user equipment (UE), first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) repetitions, processing circuitry configured to generate DownlinkControl Information (DCI) wherein the DCI schedules a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmission and includes third information indicating timing of the PDSCH transmission, determine, when the DCI includes fourth information indicating a first number of PDCCH repetitions, that a first slot is a slot in which a last PDCCH repetition among the first number of PDCCH repetitions is located, and determine, when the DCI does not include the fourth information, that the first slot is a slot in which the last PDCCH repetition among the maximum number of PDCCH repetitions is located, determine a starting slot of the PDSCH transmission based on the third information and the first slot, and determine, based on the first information, whether to forgo transmitting a PDCCH repetition among PDCCH repetitions; and the transmission circuitry is further configured to repeatedly transmit, to the UE, the PDCCH repetitions fora first search space set in a first Control Resource Set (CORESET), wherein the PDCCH re petitions carry the DCI.
 4. The base station of claim 3, wherein the last PDCCH repetition among the first number of PDCCH repetitions is not transmitted by the base station.
 5. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, from a base station, first information indicating a slot format and second information indicating a maximum number of Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) repetitions; monitoring, based on the second information, PDCCH repetitions for a first search space set in a first Control Resource Set (CORESET), the PDCCH repetitions carrying Downlink Control Information (DCI), the DCI scheduling a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmission; determining, based on the first information, whether to forgo monitoring a PDCCH repetition among the PDCCH repetitions; and determining, based on third information included in the DCI and a first slot, a starting slot of the PDSCH transmission, the third information indicating timing of the PDSCH transmission, wherein in response to the DCI including fourth information indicating a first number of PDCCH repetitions, the first slot is determined as a slot in which a last PDCCH repetition among the first number of PDCCH repetitions is located, and in response to the DCI not including the fourth information, the first slot is determined as a slot in which the last PDCCH repetition among the maximum number of PDCCH repetitions is located.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the last PDCCH repetition among the first number of PDCCH repetitions is not received by the UE. 